This week is crazy week. PS is attending a half-day engineering camp on the campus where I attended law school. Meanwhile her sisters are attending lego robotics camp* in our little suburb, 25 miles away. And of course they both have to be at camp at 9:00 am. Fortunately, my sweet neighbor agreed to drop off the twins, since it is only 5 minutes from our house.
PS's camp is 5 minutes from my office. Which means that she spends the other half of her day with me at work. I spoke with Big Boss about this last week, and he was less than thrilled--concerned about having kids wandering through the office. Um, she's 12, going into 8th grade. She sits in a corner and reads or plays video games or watches movies on my laptop (exactly what she would be doing at home). I have never had my kids at the office before and don't intend to make it a habit. It's a one time event and a great opportunity for her. And nobody else in my office has kids, so no issues with setting a precedent.
So I took her anyway--and I'm pretty sure he hasn't even noticed that she's there.
Today we carpooled with DH so that we could go directly to the funeral visitation tonight (an hour away from home) and didn't get home until 9:00. Tomorrow is the funeral, which will be an all day event with lots of out-of-town relatives. But FIL will not be staying with us, so at least we don't have the added stress of overnight guests.
Friday we head to Hometown for the weekend (where we will be staying with FIL). There's a lot to do between now and then, both at work and at home.
*Yes we are geeks. The twins are also attending a science camp later this summer, further reinforcing our geekiness. The purpose of PS's camp is to get girls more interested in engineering--still a heavily male-dominated field. And interestingly, my girls were the only girls attending the sold-out lego robotics camp.
6/28/11
6/26/11
A Mother's Rant
To the lady at the table behind us at dinner last night: yes, I did give you an icy-cold death stare. Your baby screamed the entire time we were at dinner. It was not "fussing," it was screaming. And as much as you may have wanted a nice dinner out, so did every other diner and the restaurant and they were deprived of this opportunity because of your selfishness. Not to mention that your child was tired or hungry or otherwise ailed, and simply did not want to be there.
I understand that it may have been a long time since you have gone out to dinner. But that is one of the consequences of having children. Believe me, I have missed my share of hot meals, dinners out, movies, concerts and theater productions, because I had young children. And I have had to leave restaurants and church and shopping malls because I had babies who were uncooperative. It's no fun to have your meal wrapped up to take home, but that is what you do when your child is screaming at the top of her lungs. And now that my children are old enough to leave the house and act like civilized human beings, I really don't want to listen to your child scream. I've suffered through years of missing out on fun things because of my children--now its your turn. It won't last forever (unless you're the Duggar Family). Suck it up and realize that the world does not revolve around you and your adorable little bundle of screams.
To the lady who attempted to bring her one-year old to the theater last night: A one-year old is never, ever, ever going to sit through a theater production. One-year olds like to talk and play. They do not like to sit still for three hours and watch adults sing and dance on a stage 50 feet away. At least you figured this out early on and removed your child. But really...you're not going to be able to go to the theater for years unless you get a babysitter. Just save yourself the cost of the tickets and rent a DVD.
To the the adults who kept entering and leaving the theater in the middle of the show last night: unacceptable. I didn't let my 9-year olds leave in the middle of the act to go to the bathroom, but it is hard to explain that this is poor theater etiquette there were so many adults coming in and out. (It later appeared that these adults were the parents of children who had a very short spot at the end of the second act--which seems even more appalling to me. If you kid is in the show, you should know how an audience member should behave.)
To the adults who left candy wrappers in the floor of the theater: Disgusting. This is not a movie theater. Food is not even allowed in. How hard is it to pick up your own trash?
I understand that it may have been a long time since you have gone out to dinner. But that is one of the consequences of having children. Believe me, I have missed my share of hot meals, dinners out, movies, concerts and theater productions, because I had young children. And I have had to leave restaurants and church and shopping malls because I had babies who were uncooperative. It's no fun to have your meal wrapped up to take home, but that is what you do when your child is screaming at the top of her lungs. And now that my children are old enough to leave the house and act like civilized human beings, I really don't want to listen to your child scream. I've suffered through years of missing out on fun things because of my children--now its your turn. It won't last forever (unless you're the Duggar Family). Suck it up and realize that the world does not revolve around you and your adorable little bundle of screams.
To the lady who attempted to bring her one-year old to the theater last night: A one-year old is never, ever, ever going to sit through a theater production. One-year olds like to talk and play. They do not like to sit still for three hours and watch adults sing and dance on a stage 50 feet away. At least you figured this out early on and removed your child. But really...you're not going to be able to go to the theater for years unless you get a babysitter. Just save yourself the cost of the tickets and rent a DVD.
To the the adults who kept entering and leaving the theater in the middle of the show last night: unacceptable. I didn't let my 9-year olds leave in the middle of the act to go to the bathroom, but it is hard to explain that this is poor theater etiquette there were so many adults coming in and out. (It later appeared that these adults were the parents of children who had a very short spot at the end of the second act--which seems even more appalling to me. If you kid is in the show, you should know how an audience member should behave.)
To the adults who left candy wrappers in the floor of the theater: Disgusting. This is not a movie theater. Food is not even allowed in. How hard is it to pick up your own trash?
6/24/11
Long Week
So our kid-free week has come to an end. It was fun, but I am definitely too old for the going out every night thing. And I am so glad to have all my girls back. They have hardly stopped chattering (or eating!) since they got home.
But it's also been a dramatic week with my co-worker getting fired and DH's great-uncle passing away this morning. We visited his aunt and uncle earlier this week, knowing that the end was likely near, which brought memories of our last days with MIL. Because all of our side of the family is out of town, we will likely have company coming in for the funeral. Company meaning FIL and likely his wife. That is still a touchy issue (yes, I know some of my readers are critical of this.)
I guess I need to do some major grocery shopping and house cleaning (not to mention the disgusting camp laundry--thank god I don't have boys because 3 girls are gross enough).
And I have a spa appointment tomorrow morning. I have a GC that I have been sitting on since my birthday and it has to be used by the end of the month--this was the only time available when I finally called a couple of weeks ago. Not great timing with the kids just getting home and company in, but hopefully it will help me relax and deal with it all.
But it's also been a dramatic week with my co-worker getting fired and DH's great-uncle passing away this morning. We visited his aunt and uncle earlier this week, knowing that the end was likely near, which brought memories of our last days with MIL. Because all of our side of the family is out of town, we will likely have company coming in for the funeral. Company meaning FIL and likely his wife. That is still a touchy issue (yes, I know some of my readers are critical of this.)
I guess I need to do some major grocery shopping and house cleaning (not to mention the disgusting camp laundry--thank god I don't have boys because 3 girls are gross enough).
And I have a spa appointment tomorrow morning. I have a GC that I have been sitting on since my birthday and it has to be used by the end of the month--this was the only time available when I finally called a couple of weeks ago. Not great timing with the kids just getting home and company in, but hopefully it will help me relax and deal with it all.
6/22/11
Always look on the bright side of life
I was whistling this all morning after seeing a certain musical last night, although it's a bit cheerier that I feel.
My problem with being too slow at work has just resolved. My co-worker was fired yesterday. He was the only other full-time regular associate, so much of his work will likely be shifted to me until a replacement is found (which, if history holds true, could be a while).
My bosses took great care to explain to me that it was not a lay off and that my job is absolutely secure and that they could not anticipate a reason that they would ever need let me go because I am such a valuable asset to the firm. But while it was nice to hear high praise for my work, I felt terrible for my coworker. It wasn't really a shock, though, since I had been tasked with re-checking his work on several occasions.
He asked to talk to me after he found out, and the bosses agreed to this. And he asked what he could have done differently (I think he was truly shocked). I told him that if he wasn't getting feedback he needed to ask for it. You can only improve your work product if you know what the problem is. And sometimes you have to detect subtleties to know that there is a problem. (He knew I was re-doing one of his motions which should have been a bright red flag.)
He also complained that he didn't get enough input when he didn't know how to do something. We didn't talk much about this, but one thing I learned early in my career is that "I don't know, but I can figure it out" is a great answer. The key is that you have to be able to figure it out. He wasn't able to do that, and no senior partner wants to baby-step an associate through drafting a simple motion or discovery. You have to take the initiative to find a form or a book or someone a couple of years ahead of you who can point you in the right direction.
So, those are my bits of advice for young lawyers: be someone who can figure things out and be proactive in discovering your weaknesses.
My problem with being too slow at work has just resolved. My co-worker was fired yesterday. He was the only other full-time regular associate, so much of his work will likely be shifted to me until a replacement is found (which, if history holds true, could be a while).
My bosses took great care to explain to me that it was not a lay off and that my job is absolutely secure and that they could not anticipate a reason that they would ever need let me go because I am such a valuable asset to the firm. But while it was nice to hear high praise for my work, I felt terrible for my coworker. It wasn't really a shock, though, since I had been tasked with re-checking his work on several occasions.
He asked to talk to me after he found out, and the bosses agreed to this. And he asked what he could have done differently (I think he was truly shocked). I told him that if he wasn't getting feedback he needed to ask for it. You can only improve your work product if you know what the problem is. And sometimes you have to detect subtleties to know that there is a problem. (He knew I was re-doing one of his motions which should have been a bright red flag.)
He also complained that he didn't get enough input when he didn't know how to do something. We didn't talk much about this, but one thing I learned early in my career is that "I don't know, but I can figure it out" is a great answer. The key is that you have to be able to figure it out. He wasn't able to do that, and no senior partner wants to baby-step an associate through drafting a simple motion or discovery. You have to take the initiative to find a form or a book or someone a couple of years ahead of you who can point you in the right direction.
So, those are my bits of advice for young lawyers: be someone who can figure things out and be proactive in discovering your weaknesses.
6/19/11
Camp in the age of the internet
This morning I am tying up all of the last minute details before we send the kids off to camp. One of which is setting up an account so that I can email the girls at camp. You can't use regular email. You have to use the GS proprietary system that lets you send "bunk notes" that are printed off and delivered to the girls with the regular mail. Oh yeah, and you have to pay for this service. Messages start at $1 and go up by $1 per add on if you want to make it in color or add a picture or a word game. So one email can end up costing $3. And you have to buy credits for this service in $10 increments. Per kid. So I have to pay a minimum of $20 to email my kids at camp. Makes a postage stamp look like a bargain. (Not to mention I already went old school and hid little notes throughout their suitcases.)
This is a little irritating to me. Especially because I have been getting blast emails for the last two months encouraging me to buy a bunch of overpriced crap to be delivered to my kids while they are at camp. They are definitely playing the "show your kids you love them through material possessions" card. I didn't really think that was what GS was all about.
I think scouting is a great program, and I know that the money made off of these ventures goes back to the scouts, but I am not loving this particular fund raising mechanism.
Meanwhile, PS's camp is not allowing any electronics, either. (Can you imagine the number of cell phones and ipods that will be confiscated by the end of the week from 300 middle schoolers?) But they have set up a twitter feed so that the parents can see what is going on. So yesterday I joined the 21st century and set up a twitter account. I still don't really see the point of twitter, but maybe I'm just getting old. I'm following a few business, and it seems to me like I have just voluntarily signed up to be affronted with even more advertising. Why would I do this to myself?
However, a new social networking site that I LOVE is pinterest. I describe it as a visual bookmarking site that you can share with the world. Your "pins" are images/links that take you back to whatever you are pinning. I can spend hours on this new time-waster.
This is a little irritating to me. Especially because I have been getting blast emails for the last two months encouraging me to buy a bunch of overpriced crap to be delivered to my kids while they are at camp. They are definitely playing the "show your kids you love them through material possessions" card. I didn't really think that was what GS was all about.
I think scouting is a great program, and I know that the money made off of these ventures goes back to the scouts, but I am not loving this particular fund raising mechanism.
Meanwhile, PS's camp is not allowing any electronics, either. (Can you imagine the number of cell phones and ipods that will be confiscated by the end of the week from 300 middle schoolers?) But they have set up a twitter feed so that the parents can see what is going on. So yesterday I joined the 21st century and set up a twitter account. I still don't really see the point of twitter, but maybe I'm just getting old. I'm following a few business, and it seems to me like I have just voluntarily signed up to be affronted with even more advertising. Why would I do this to myself?
However, a new social networking site that I LOVE is pinterest. I describe it as a visual bookmarking site that you can share with the world. Your "pins" are images/links that take you back to whatever you are pinning. I can spend hours on this new time-waster.
6/18/11
Summer Camp
Tomorrow the twins leave for camp, and PS heads out on Monday. DH and I will be empty-nesters for a week, and we plan to take full advantage. We've already got tix to the theater, a baseball game and passes for the movie theater that serves booze (and mediocre food).
But getting ready for camp has become a major undertaking.
On Tuesday we were informed PS must have a one-piece swimsuit for camp. Do you know how hard it is to find a one-piece these days? Especially for a 12-year-0d trapped between kids and juniors sizes? She already has a modest tankini, but the half-inch of belly it shows might cause boys to be overcome with lewd and lascivious thoughts. (Can you tell she's going to church camp?)
So I took a two-hour lunch on Wednesday to peruse the frou-frou mall a block from my office. (Note to self: Do not go shopping on the day you wear your highest heels.) I would text pics of what I found, and PS would respond with "ughs". I came home with a suit she thought was "ok," but that ended up being too small. (This shopping challenge is complicated by the fact that PS has been volunteering with the stage crew of our local theater company from 7-11 every night. I rarely get home before 7, so there has been no chance to go shopping together.)
Thursday the kids were directed to pack while I was at work. I got home at 8, only to find that 4 out of the 5 pairs of shorts each twin had packed were too small. So we flew out the door to hit Old Navy before they closed at 9:00. Fortunately, they were running great sales and I was able to pick up 8 pairs of shorts, 2 bathing suits and a couple of t-shirts for about $100. Woot!
Unfortunately, we got home to find half of it didn't fit. Apparently the kids have grown a lot since last summer. So last night we repeated our expedition, this time trying on. Whew! At least the twins are packed. But PS still needs new shoes and a swimsuit and possibly a couple of pairs of shorts, so there will be more shopping today.
And then on Sunday, we make the 4-hour round trip to drop off the twins. Happy Father's Day--you're getting rid of the kids for a week!
But getting ready for camp has become a major undertaking.
On Tuesday we were informed PS must have a one-piece swimsuit for camp. Do you know how hard it is to find a one-piece these days? Especially for a 12-year-0d trapped between kids and juniors sizes? She already has a modest tankini, but the half-inch of belly it shows might cause boys to be overcome with lewd and lascivious thoughts. (Can you tell she's going to church camp?)
So I took a two-hour lunch on Wednesday to peruse the frou-frou mall a block from my office. (Note to self: Do not go shopping on the day you wear your highest heels.) I would text pics of what I found, and PS would respond with "ughs". I came home with a suit she thought was "ok," but that ended up being too small. (This shopping challenge is complicated by the fact that PS has been volunteering with the stage crew of our local theater company from 7-11 every night. I rarely get home before 7, so there has been no chance to go shopping together.)
Thursday the kids were directed to pack while I was at work. I got home at 8, only to find that 4 out of the 5 pairs of shorts each twin had packed were too small. So we flew out the door to hit Old Navy before they closed at 9:00. Fortunately, they were running great sales and I was able to pick up 8 pairs of shorts, 2 bathing suits and a couple of t-shirts for about $100. Woot!
Unfortunately, we got home to find half of it didn't fit. Apparently the kids have grown a lot since last summer. So last night we repeated our expedition, this time trying on. Whew! At least the twins are packed. But PS still needs new shoes and a swimsuit and possibly a couple of pairs of shorts, so there will be more shopping today.
And then on Sunday, we make the 4-hour round trip to drop off the twins. Happy Father's Day--you're getting rid of the kids for a week!
6/11/11
Loose Ends
1) I seem to have come out of my funk. Still don't know what is going on with my kid, though, since they had to rerun a bunch of her bloodwork and it takes forever to get results. But since she is acting perfectly normal these days, it's hard to believe that something is wrong.
2) We are not filing a grievance against Lawyer A. I do think his conduct was both despicable and unethical. But filing a grievance against an attorney is a very serious, career-altering move. I discussed it with my partners and we decided that since his conduct was recorded on the record and the judge admonished him in open court that this matter had been handled. My client is already stressed by being involved in these proceedings that she is not a party to and has little interest in getting involved in another mess by filing a grievance.
3) I'm still slow and bored at work. I was at a CLE yesterday and ran into an old law school friend. She asked what I was doing and if I liked it--and my response was "I'm bored." I couldn't even bring myself to couch it or tell a little white lie (although I am a terrible liar, anyway.) And then, one of the points made at the CLE was that if you are discontent, or worse, unhappy, you need to make a change because you only have one life and you need to get the most out of it. And a corollary point was made that very few good things in life happen without risk. I am taking this advice to heart and trying to figure out what to do about it.
2) We are not filing a grievance against Lawyer A. I do think his conduct was both despicable and unethical. But filing a grievance against an attorney is a very serious, career-altering move. I discussed it with my partners and we decided that since his conduct was recorded on the record and the judge admonished him in open court that this matter had been handled. My client is already stressed by being involved in these proceedings that she is not a party to and has little interest in getting involved in another mess by filing a grievance.
3) I'm still slow and bored at work. I was at a CLE yesterday and ran into an old law school friend. She asked what I was doing and if I liked it--and my response was "I'm bored." I couldn't even bring myself to couch it or tell a little white lie (although I am a terrible liar, anyway.) And then, one of the points made at the CLE was that if you are discontent, or worse, unhappy, you need to make a change because you only have one life and you need to get the most out of it. And a corollary point was made that very few good things in life happen without risk. I am taking this advice to heart and trying to figure out what to do about it.
6/7/11
We're going to Vegas
We just got notice that DH's employer is sending him to a conference in Vegas in the fall. And I think I will go with him. His conference runs Sunday night through Wednesday, so we could fly in together the Friday before, spend the weekend together, and I can fly back home on Monday morning.
We've been to Vegas once before, and I didn't really care for it. It just seemed so fake. And the cigarette smoke that permeated everything really inflamed my allergies. And I got tired of seeing boobies everywhere. And I'm too cheap to gamble.
So why the heck to I want to go back? Well, we really want to see the Beatles' LOVE show. And a weekend away in a nice hotel sounds pretty good. And a subsidized mini-vacation is always a good thing. (When the kids were little, they only time we got to go anywhere was when DH had a conference. Hence, the last visit to Vegas.) And now I know exactly what to expect going in and think that 2 full days is just enough time.
Yay--it's nice to have a little trip with DH to look forward to.
We've been to Vegas once before, and I didn't really care for it. It just seemed so fake. And the cigarette smoke that permeated everything really inflamed my allergies. And I got tired of seeing boobies everywhere. And I'm too cheap to gamble.
So why the heck to I want to go back? Well, we really want to see the Beatles' LOVE show. And a weekend away in a nice hotel sounds pretty good. And a subsidized mini-vacation is always a good thing. (When the kids were little, they only time we got to go anywhere was when DH had a conference. Hence, the last visit to Vegas.) And now I know exactly what to expect going in and think that 2 full days is just enough time.
Yay--it's nice to have a little trip with DH to look forward to.
6/6/11
Re: the last two posts
The judge signed the order granting the government's injunction at 9:30 Sunday night (the emergency injunction was to expire today). My client's testimony was cited by the court and clearly given a lot of weight. This was fantastic news for her, as all of the defendants worked hard to undermine her credibility during cross examination. And it assured her that her testimony had not been for naught.
6/4/11
A great day to be a lawyer
Despite my fury Thursday night, which had not dissipated much by Friday morning, the hearing on Friday went really well. From a law geek perspective, it was actually fun--and it's been a while since I've had fun while working.
My client was the key witness for a government agency in a civil suit involving many, many defendants represented by about 10 different law firms. Most of the lawyers were old white guys, several from very large and prestigious firms. A handful of them were there to meet with me why I arrived and convince me that I was wrong and that the judge would surely rule against me.
I let them know in no uncertain terms that I would fight any attempts to recall my client to the stand. The lawyer I had spoken with the night before (we'll call him lawyer A) was a total arrogant ass who probably wouldn't know the truth if it bit him in the ass. Lawyer A is not a biglaw lawyer, and I suspect his attempts to intimidate me were at least partially for show for the benefit his higher paid counterparts.
And then the government lawyer arrived and he was almost as furious as I was about Lawyer A's conduct and also let him know it.
When court finally started, the government lawyer introduced me to the court so that we could deal with the issue of my missing witness and whether she was still under subpoena. I told the court about the other attorney's conduct and explained that she was not there and that I did not believe that she was obligated to be there or to that she was still subject to the subpoena with which she had already complied, and that all parties had already had to opportunity to examine her.
Lawyer A attempted to favorably spin his conduct and then said that by telling my client not to comply with a subpoena, my conduct was equally inappropriate. The judge ignored Lawyer A's statement about me, and mildly admonished* Lawyer A for his conduct and ordered him to have no additional contact with my client. The court did not immediately rule on whether my client could or would be recalled to the stand, and wanted to hear from another witnesses first. (Which drew objection from Lawyer A, because he wanted my client to be at court just in case the court ruled in his favor.)
By the time the court took a break, Lawyer A decided that he didn't need my client after all and the court granted my request to formally release her from all outstanding subpoenas.
I have to admit that I am really proud of how I handled the whole situation. I got the desired result for my client, and stood up to bullies, and I presented a good, short argument to the court. Standing in that courtroom with a federal judge, a dozen or more lawyers, an above-average number of spectators (and probably press), I felt like LC versus the world. But I wasn't even nervous, because I knew that I was right.
I've come a long way since my first argument in court, where my knees were shaking so much I could barely stand up straight.
* Lawyer A's behavior was truly abhorrent for several reasons I have not mentioned.** I kept it short in front of the court, because my goal was to protect my client rather than implicate his professional conduct. I did not want the court to disregard my argument because I was just "throwing stones" at the other attorney.
**One of the things he told my client was that I had not been practicing for very long and probably wasn't used to practicing in federal court. How dare you implicate my professional capabilities to my client--especially when you're just making shit up. I'm admitted in every federal district in my state and I regularly practice in federal court. I'm the go-to girl in my firm for federal procedural issues, and I know the nuances in the local rules for the different districts.
My client was the key witness for a government agency in a civil suit involving many, many defendants represented by about 10 different law firms. Most of the lawyers were old white guys, several from very large and prestigious firms. A handful of them were there to meet with me why I arrived and convince me that I was wrong and that the judge would surely rule against me.
I let them know in no uncertain terms that I would fight any attempts to recall my client to the stand. The lawyer I had spoken with the night before (we'll call him lawyer A) was a total arrogant ass who probably wouldn't know the truth if it bit him in the ass. Lawyer A is not a biglaw lawyer, and I suspect his attempts to intimidate me were at least partially for show for the benefit his higher paid counterparts.
And then the government lawyer arrived and he was almost as furious as I was about Lawyer A's conduct and also let him know it.
When court finally started, the government lawyer introduced me to the court so that we could deal with the issue of my missing witness and whether she was still under subpoena. I told the court about the other attorney's conduct and explained that she was not there and that I did not believe that she was obligated to be there or to that she was still subject to the subpoena with which she had already complied, and that all parties had already had to opportunity to examine her.
Lawyer A attempted to favorably spin his conduct and then said that by telling my client not to comply with a subpoena, my conduct was equally inappropriate. The judge ignored Lawyer A's statement about me, and mildly admonished* Lawyer A for his conduct and ordered him to have no additional contact with my client. The court did not immediately rule on whether my client could or would be recalled to the stand, and wanted to hear from another witnesses first. (Which drew objection from Lawyer A, because he wanted my client to be at court just in case the court ruled in his favor.)
By the time the court took a break, Lawyer A decided that he didn't need my client after all and the court granted my request to formally release her from all outstanding subpoenas.
I have to admit that I am really proud of how I handled the whole situation. I got the desired result for my client, and stood up to bullies, and I presented a good, short argument to the court. Standing in that courtroom with a federal judge, a dozen or more lawyers, an above-average number of spectators (and probably press), I felt like LC versus the world. But I wasn't even nervous, because I knew that I was right.
I've come a long way since my first argument in court, where my knees were shaking so much I could barely stand up straight.
* Lawyer A's behavior was truly abhorrent for several reasons I have not mentioned.** I kept it short in front of the court, because my goal was to protect my client rather than implicate his professional conduct. I did not want the court to disregard my argument because I was just "throwing stones" at the other attorney.
**One of the things he told my client was that I had not been practicing for very long and probably wasn't used to practicing in federal court. How dare you implicate my professional capabilities to my client--especially when you're just making shit up. I'm admitted in every federal district in my state and I regularly practice in federal court. I'm the go-to girl in my firm for federal procedural issues, and I know the nuances in the local rules for the different districts.
6/2/11
Shaking with Fury
lI have somehow managed to become counsel for a nonparty witness in a federal case. I attended a hearing with her on Tuesday where she testified that she was represented by counsel and gave my name on the record. She was thoroughly examined for over two hours, and we left after her testimony because she was sequestered from hearing the rest of the proceedings.
I'm following the case on PACER and so I knew that the court had requested additional briefing and that another hearing was set for Friday. But nobody contacted me regarding her testimony and, based on the briefings, it did not appear that additional testimony from my client was necessary to resolve the outstanding issues.
And then, this afternoon, one of the parties contacted my client to ask if she would attend Friday's hearing. I told her that his attorney needed to contact me so that we could discuss it. No call. And the more I thought about it, the less inclined I was to allow my client to be put through the cross-examination ringer again.
I came home, had dinner with the kids, watched a movie with DH, and was heading to bed at 10:45 when I saw multiple missed calls and texts from my client starting at about 9:00 tonight. The party's attorney had been calling and texting her about appearing, and was threatening to have her arrested if she did not appear!
OMG, I have never been so angry at another attorney. I immediately called him (yes, at 11:00 tonight, because he was still texting my client when I finally talked to her) and told him to immediately cease all communication with her. He informed me that he is the president of the ethics division of our state bar and that he had committed no ethical breach. Bullshit. It took me all of 30 seconds to find the rule that expressly says you can't contact someone you know to be represented by a lawyer without the consent of the lawyer. Not to mention the rule that says you can threaten people with civil or criminal process unless you have a valid basis for it. Maybe I should have informed him that I got an almost perfect score on the MPRE.
And then he kept going on and on about his 20 years of experience and how [Judge's First Name] would issue a bench warrant the moment he asked for it and that my client was obligated to return to court or be in contempt. I told him that he was awfully confident.
Anyway, I'm meeting him at court in the morning, but my client will not be there. He's pretty peeved about it, but I'm ready to fight this battle. I don't respond well to unethical bullies, and I'll be happy to point out his transgressions to the court.
I'm following the case on PACER and so I knew that the court had requested additional briefing and that another hearing was set for Friday. But nobody contacted me regarding her testimony and, based on the briefings, it did not appear that additional testimony from my client was necessary to resolve the outstanding issues.
And then, this afternoon, one of the parties contacted my client to ask if she would attend Friday's hearing. I told her that his attorney needed to contact me so that we could discuss it. No call. And the more I thought about it, the less inclined I was to allow my client to be put through the cross-examination ringer again.
I came home, had dinner with the kids, watched a movie with DH, and was heading to bed at 10:45 when I saw multiple missed calls and texts from my client starting at about 9:00 tonight. The party's attorney had been calling and texting her about appearing, and was threatening to have her arrested if she did not appear!
OMG, I have never been so angry at another attorney. I immediately called him (yes, at 11:00 tonight, because he was still texting my client when I finally talked to her) and told him to immediately cease all communication with her. He informed me that he is the president of the ethics division of our state bar and that he had committed no ethical breach. Bullshit. It took me all of 30 seconds to find the rule that expressly says you can't contact someone you know to be represented by a lawyer without the consent of the lawyer. Not to mention the rule that says you can threaten people with civil or criminal process unless you have a valid basis for it. Maybe I should have informed him that I got an almost perfect score on the MPRE.
And then he kept going on and on about his 20 years of experience and how [Judge's First Name] would issue a bench warrant the moment he asked for it and that my client was obligated to return to court or be in contempt. I told him that he was awfully confident.
Anyway, I'm meeting him at court in the morning, but my client will not be there. He's pretty peeved about it, but I'm ready to fight this battle. I don't respond well to unethical bullies, and I'll be happy to point out his transgressions to the court.
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